Thursday, 23 April 2015

'Rise Like a Phoenix' Above The Stag Theatre ***

HIV is an infectious virus which is highly contractible that
can ruin someone’s life and can be extremely difficult for that person to admit
it, not only to other people. Above The Stag Theatre’s recent production of
Paul Emelion Daly’s current play, ‘Rise Like a Phoenix’ was one that highlights
the illness to a contemporary audience, furthermore, the performances were excellently
characterised.

‘Rise Like a Phoenix’ is set in the flat of estate agent,
Hector, who is holding a party where he is dressed in drag for his
ex-boyfriend, Alan. However, the flat
where the party is being held was once owned by both Hector and Alan. The break
up between the two of them has been kept under wraps and when Alan arrives with
his current partner, painter and decorator, Eddie (Jonny Dickens), there is the
obvious awkward tension that you’d expect from a break up. When Hector and Alan’s friend, musical
theatre fan, Pippin makes his dramatic entrance after walking out during the
interval of musical, ‘Wicked’, this is due to the fact that has been diagnosed
with HIV, and is refusing to take vital medication that can maintain some level
of good health. Over the course of the production, Hector has employed
Colombian masseur, Gucci (Dimitrios Rapitidis) to serve the drinks and food for
the party in a very tight pair of gold shorts makes a move on Alan’s
boyfriend. The performance oozed
campness; exclusively Pippin’s song and dance sequence where he explains his
passion for musical theatre as it’s a form of therapy of how he is coming to
terms with his HIV diagnosis. Contrariwise, Hector and Alan do believe that he
must seek professional help so that he can sort out his emotional
problems. We are soon informed that
Eddie was once married and that he contracted HIV through his wife, and as such
Alan became infected due to unprotected sexual activity at the school where
they first met. Alan soon has to tell
Hector that he was responsible for the HIV virus, and Hector is furious with
such revelations and demands that Alan and Eddie must leave the flat. At the
finale, there is a tender moment where we see Hector and Pippin cuddling up on
the sofa, reassuring Pippin that he will be okay. Emelion Daly’s narrative is agreeable
as here are some moving moments between the former couple, Hector and Alan, but
there are aspects of the show that are too camp and over-the-top which needed
toning down slightly.

One found the performances by the company of, ‘Rise Like a
Phoenix’ were radiantly conveyed through enjoyable scenes that captivated
humour and emotional content. Reed Stokes is divine as estate agent, Hector; in
particular when you can see him hurting when he is witnessing the passionate moments
between Alan and Eddie, also his alter-ego, “Fanny Sparkles” shows how confident
and provocative he is. Lewis Rae is sublime as Hector’s former partner, Alan; chiefly
the moments where his OCD is magnified at the slight of mess on the carpet, and during
the interval we can see him hovering up the dirt on the carpet which was funny
to observe. Conleth Kane is amazing as musical
enthusiast, Pippin; expressly the monologue about how the genre of theatre
allows him to come to terms with his HIV status, and how his parents will be
disappointed that he got himself into this situation.

Tim McArthur’s direction is pleasing here as he been able to instruct
the LGBT community of their responsibilities that you need to be protected against
sexual acts and if you do not do so, then this is extremely immature and
somewhat unforgivable. Zoe Hurwitz’s design is opulent here as the flat appears
really shabby, which is quite surprising for a flat that is owned by an estate
agent. As well as, the scenic art elements were of a high standard. Overall,
the experience of, ‘Rise Like a Phoenix’ was well considered and makes a clear
statement that HIV is still an issue that needs to be presented.